Originally Posted by
maxine
So riding on that section of Route 1 isn't too bad? I'm not traffic-shy, and originally I was looking at staying on South Rolling to Francis to South Street to 1, but when I drove the reverse on the way home one day, I turned right on Main from Furnace and got on Route 1 from there, and it wasn't pretty . . . blind turn curving back to the left, heavy high-speed traffic, and I had to get over to the left quickly so I could turn left onto South Street. Even gunning my little sports car across, it scared the bejeebers out of me -- I couldn't imagine doing the same thing on a bike. The Levering Avenue crossing of US 1 has a traffic light, which makes me feel *much* better.
That section of rt1 is not very good. There is a shoulder (heading south on 1) for a lot of it but not all of it. Cars are moving very fast. I do it because I am lazy and it's a 150 yard sprint vs. a 1 mile "cut through the park" Heading north on 1 is also tough but has a shoulder to hide but it is full of crap. You also have to worry about the cars entering onto 895 from rt1.
So: parking at the Grist Mill trail head gives you access to Levering and the light, easier ride, more scenic and less traffic. I actually ride this route when time permits(adds 5-6 more miles to commute).
Here are 2 options, similar miles.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1893282
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1893295
You also can do Gun but riding up that MF is not a lot of fun, will make you stronger though. I wouldn't do it everyday tho'.
If you are eventually heading towards rt175 try these roads:
Furnace east from rt1 area
Right on Race
right on Hanover(not left to Race)
Left on High Tech
Left on Coca Cola
X Rt100
right on Dorsey rd
left on Forest(turns into Wigley Ave)
You will find larger roads, some with shoulders, no blind curves(like Race) and traffic is just as lite as Race rd.
Good luck in whatever you do, Charlie